MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED BENTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH WERE PRESENT FOR ROLL CALL. COMMISSIONER STOREY WAS ABSENT.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY ON MONDAY APRIL 22, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY ON MONDAY MAY 13, 2024 AT 5 P.M. IN THE BENTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 1403 SOUTH MAIN STREET BENTON, ILLINOIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 3. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM ABSTAINED.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ASKED THAT AN AMERICAN FLAG BE HUNG AT TWIN OAKS AND SHE STATED THAT THE BUNTINGS NEED TO BE PUT OUT AT CAPITAL PARK.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT SHE HAD MET WITH HELITEC AND WOULD LIKE PERMISSION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH USING THEM FOR REPAIRS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING. ATTORNEY TOM MALKOVICH STATED THAT HE RECOMMENDED THE CITY WAIT UNTIL THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER HAS HAD A CHANCE TO INSPECT THE DAMAGES. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA STATED THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA ALSO STATED THAT HELITEC TOLD HER THEY WOULD BE 1-2 WEEKS OUT FROM BEING ABLE TO COMPLETE THE WORK AT THIS TIME. COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THIS TOPIC WITH ERWIN BUILDERS SINCE THEY ARE WHO BUILT THE BUILDING. AFTER A DISCUSSION WAS HELD REGARDING THESE DIFFERENT OPTIONS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH HELITEC SUBJECT TO INSURANCE APPROVAL OR DENIAL. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00675 TO BEN’S LAWN SERVICE FOR A MOWER CLUTCH FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00240 TO ENERGY CULVERT FOR TILE AND DIMPLE BANDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,994.14 TO BE PAID FROM MFT FUNDS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE POOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR:
- CRAWFORD @ 1204 ELECTION DRIVE
- RAYMER@ 306 NORTH EIGHTH STREET
- PENDERGAST@ 211 ELECTION STREET
- FLETCHER@ 118 WEST PARRISH STREET
- DILLARD @ 1011 ELECTION CIRCLE
- EUBANKS@ 809 NORTH NINTH
- ZSIDO @ 1002 SOUTH POPE STREET
- EAR L@ 500 WEST REED STREET
- DONALDSON @ 405 NORTH BUCHANAN
- MORRIS @ 1102 BAILEY LANE
- SMITH @ 702 DIAMOND STREET
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE LAKE LOT LEASE TRANSFER OF LOTS #44 AND #45 FROM L. THOMAS WHITTINGTON AND SUE A. WHITTINGTON TO THOMAS TODD WHITTINGTON AND LORRIE A. WHITTINGTON AS JOINT TENANTS WITH RIGHTS OF SURVIVORSHIP AND NOT AS TENANTS IN COMMON. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #24-08 PLACING A ONE-WAY STOP SIGN ON GARDNER STREET AT EAST TAYLOR STREET FOR SOUTH BOUND TRAFFIC. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FINAL PAY ESTIMATE TO WIGGS EXCAVATING FOR THE DUQUOIN STREET FORCEMAIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $121,790.10. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
IN THE ABSENCE OF COMMISSIONER STOREY, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM HANDLED HIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00122 TO CONCEPTE OF ILLINOIS FOR A SUPER MICRO SERVER FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,495.95 TO BE PAID FROM THE IMPOUND FUND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00124 TO ACCREDITED SAFETY FOR ONE TASER AND ONE EXTENDED PERFORMANCE POWER MAGAZINE FOR THIS TASER IN THE AMOUNT OF $919.99. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00411 TO THE FIRE STORE FOR 2 PAIRS OF GLOBE SUPRALITE BOOTS, ONE TO REPLACE LT. MELVIN’S SET AND 1 SET TO ISSUE TO THE NEW FIREFIGHTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,265.65. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00130 TO LARRY FREDRICKS, LLC FOR A POINT BLANK BALLISTIC VEST AND A POINT BLANK GUARDIAN CARRIER FOR OFFICER MORGAN WATERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $890.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00414 TO CIRCLE LANE BUILDERS FOR MATERIALS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADDITION IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,000.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PURCHASE ORDER #00413 TO CANHAM GRAPHICS FOR LETTERING AND STRIPING OF BENTON #806 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,408.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #24-10 AMENDING SECTION 24 – ARTICLE XI- GOLF CARTS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE MERIT BOARD TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PRESENTING A CANDIDATE FOR HIGHER FOR BENTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER KAYS. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR MAY 24, 2024 FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $114,732.82 AND WATER AND SEWER FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $31,547.35 FOR A TOTAL PAYROLL OF $146,280.17. COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA SECONDED THIS MOTION. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE PAYROLL DATED 05/01/2024 WHICH CONSISTED OF CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,700.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED HE HAD NO BILLS FOR APPROVAL AT THIS MEETING.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #24-09 AMENDING 1-2-34 BIDDING AND CONTRACT PROCEDURES INCREASING THE PURCHASE ORDER AMOUNT OF $750.00. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION #24-04, A PAY RESOLUTION FOR NONCONTRACTUAL, NONUNION EMPLOYEES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER STOREY, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
COMMISSIONER KAYS STATED THAT HE WANTED TO MAKE THE COUNCIL AWARE THAT WE WILL BE PAYING A SOFTWARE AGREEMENT TO ZOBRIO SOON. THIS PAYMENT IS A 3-YEAR COMMITMENT TO THE PRODUCT AND IS $9,600.00.
CITY ATTORNEY MALKOVICH HAD NO UPDATES.
IN UPDATES MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT BENTON CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL NOW HAS 2 STATE CHAMPIONS IN TRACK AND THE TRACK TEAM TOOK 3RD IN STATE COMPETITION. MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT THE CITY WILL BE DOING PROCLAMATIONS FOR THE TEAM AND THESE INDIVIDUALS.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE HAS NO PURCHASE ORDERS TO APPROVE.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH STATED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TABLE ITEM (C) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF SUSPENDING THE I-57 INTERCHANGE PROJECT. COMMISSIONER KAYS MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
MAYOR MESSERSMITH ASKED ZONING ADMINISTRATOR BRIAN CALCATERRA TO PRESENT ITEM (D) DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE THE SURPLUS REAL ESTATE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 308 BUCHANAN STREET. MR. CALCATERRA STATED THAT THIS WOULD BE SOLD FOR $500.00 AND THAT IS THE FULL APPRAISED VALUE. COMMISSIONER COCKRUM MADE THIS MOTION. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
NO MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. NO OLD BUSINESS.
NO NEW BUSINESS.
NO MATTERS FROM THE PUBLIC AUDIENCE.
COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER COCKRUM. VOTE WAS TAKEN. YEAS: 4. COMMISSIONER KAYS, COMMISSIONER GARAVALIA, COMMISSIONER COCKRUM, AND MAYOR MESSERSMITH. NAYS: 0.
5:35 P.M.
